1991 LC 3FE Radiator Replacement

[REDDAWNISHERE]

I found a bunch of great tips from other users scattered around the forums about changing out a radiator but wanted to put together a thread with pictures for the (sometimes) hard to locate mounting bolts for removing the radiator.
I'm a weekend mechanic by necessity so forgive me if I get some of the terminology wrong and I am pretty new to LC's.
I did this without completely removing the fan shroud, you will just need a buddy to help pry the fan shroud towards the engine (without damaging it) when you actually pull the radiator up and out.
-Detach upper and lower radiator hoses and two tranny fluid hoses on bottom of radiator (make sure you have something to plug them to prevent fluid loss)
-Detach overflow tube on top of radiator.
-Detach fan shroud and push towards engine.
-Remove metal cover to the front of the radiator in order to access nuts on the back side of "flat head bolts"

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-Remove battery and battery box
-The flat head bolts are about 5 inches down from the top of the radiator on either side, you will remove the nuts on the front side of these view-able once the metal cover is removed in the previous steps.

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-Remove vertical bolts that hold the "L" brackets to the vehicle. These "L" brackets need to be transferred to your new radiator.


Once all these bolts are removed you should be able to pull the radiator up and out. It doesn't come out super easy and you have to do some maneuvering to get the new one in but just put it back in reverse. Hope this helps.

 

[thadscottmoore]

nice! I just did mine over the weekend. the new radiator- Silla Radiator was a very near replica of original- only difference was the bottom cap is inch plus wider on the pasengers side- causes issues with install- had to notch the the side supports to fit it in....

 

[joker2040]

Very nice! I changed mine out a few months ago. Wished I had this then to read before I jumped in. LOL!

 

[NCFJ]

Good write up, I am sure it will help many. Rather than remove the top cover I removed the grill to gain access to the nuts on the front side of the "flat head" bolts.

 

[Crusha]

I, too, did mine this weekend. Of course it was cold as **** and windy to boot. Warmed up the engine bay beforehand so I had some warmth.
Anyway, there is noo need to remove top support, just pop off the grill and use a swivel.
Toyota calls the "flat head bolt" a "support collar". I had to grab both with a vice grip to keep them from spinning while removing the nuts.
One sheared in half so I ground off the "head" of the stud and repaired with a new bolt, fender washer, and nut. Bit of anti seize on all threads during reassembly will avoid this issue next time.

 

[thadscottmoore]

My new radiator!

the pig in the tear down mode... having a service pit in my shop behind my house is awesome when having to work under the vehicle. - but cant wait to get the lift installed on the other side of my shop Spring 2014!

only other issue that I have- the fan shroud was very brittle and pretty much fell apart when I removed it... need to source another one or goto a local metal shop and get one fabbed... In my work- I have plenty of resources to fab shops for fabrication of such things... currently, she is running without one- I dont think it will be an issue in these near freezing temps for the next couple weeks- needless to say- she has some fresh antifreeze in the system...

 

[REDDAWNISHERE]

I, too, did mine this weekend. Of course it was cold as **** and windy to boot. Warmed up the engine bay beforehand so I had some warmth. Anyway, there is noo need to remove top support, just pop off the grill and use a swivel. Toyota calls the "flat head bolt" a "support collar". I had to grab both with a vice grip to keep them from spinning while removing the nuts. One sheared in half so I ground off the "head" of the stud and repaired with a new bolt, fender washer, and nut. Bit of anti seize on all threads during reassembly will avoid this issue next time.

Good tip on taking off the grill, wish I had tried that one.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Another tip if you have access to a welder: weld nuts on the flat head bolts to be able to use a socket on them.

 

[JonChimpo]

Just wanted to say thank you! Those flat head bolts.. I thought they were guide pins. Ha